Catherine Jordan is usually rather modest but sometimes she’s just as proud as punch.

The 16th Annual Mardi Gras Gala on Saturday is hosted by the Colley Senior Complex in Troy, and, as its director, Jordan said she could not be any prouder of or more grateful for the support the Troy community gives its senior adults.

“Again, the Mardi Gras Gala is sold out and that’s an indication of the strong support that the Colley Senior Complex receives from our community and the importance that is placed on the contributions that our senior adults make,” Jordan said. “Without our corporate, business and individual sponsors for the annual Gala, we would not be able to offer many of the 40 different programs at the Colley Senior Complex.”

On behalf of the all who benefit from the programs offered at the Colley Senior Complex, its volunteers and staff members, Jordan said she would like to recognize and acknowledge those who are supporting the 2017 Mardi Gras Gala including Councilmember Stephanie Baker, KW Plastics, Troy Regional Medical Center, Glow, Max Hughes, Lyncoach, Troy Health and Rehabilitation, the family of Tip Colley, the family of Matt Colley, Troy University, Troy Cable, Southern Classic Foods, Tim Whitehead, CGI, Green Hills, Bourbon Street Dancers, Max, Troy Animal Hospital, Sanders Lead, Sanders Truck Lines, Councilmember Robert Jones, SARHA, The Messenger, Horn Beverage, Dr. Rick Gill, Paul Outlaw, Troy Bank & Trust, Road Mart, Moon Glow, Disco Bitties-Vallander Baker, Troy United Women’s League, OCAP, Holly Lunsford, Pike Internal Medicine, WTBF, Macdonald Construction, Sweets, County Commissioner Jimmy Barron, County Commissioner Robin Sullivan, Fun Bunch, Deltas, AKA, LHC, King and Seven Queens –Jean Jones, Milly Johnson, Pinkard Vault and  Marble, Dr. Eric Law, KW Container, Les Rois Reines & Les Bourrelets – Marcus Jones, Camille Downing and Viva.

Jordan said the Mardi Gras Gala is the largest annual fundraiser for the Colley Senior Complex.

“The funds that are raised make it possible for us to continue to add new programs to the large number of programs that are already offered to senior adults age 50 and older,” Jordan said. “We offer 40 different programs on a monthly basis and add new programs when we realize there is an interest. We recently added several new programs. Jim Wadowick is teaching piano and accordion lessons, and we are excited about those opportunities for our seniors. We have also added a stretching class and a sewing class. Our seniors really enjoy board games and we’ve added a new one, a Cadillac card game that is really popular.”

The tried and true programs at the Colley Senior Complex include painting, pottery, ceramics, stained glass, quilting, Bible study, aerobics, yoga, low impact exercise, line dancing and board games and educational Bingo.

“Once a month, on Mondays, we have lunch with a movie and on the third Monday of the month, we have a singles’ social,” Jordan said.

“Every other Saturday night we have a dance and invite our seniors to ‘boogie on out.’ Of course, we have day trips and overnight trips. We even have a cruise coming up. We stay busy and we like it that way. And the Annual Mardi Gras Gala helps to make it all possible.”

Jordan said this year’s Gala will be a great one.

“We’ve got a great showband coming, City Heat from Atlanta,” Jordan said. “Everyone will enjoy a Cajun food buffet that includes a Low Country Boil, a carving station, a Southern Station, a dessert station and Bayou beverages.”

The drawdown will be a highlight of the Gala.

“The first name drawn will get their $100 donation back,” Jordan said. “The last five names in the drawing will have an opportunity to split the $10,000 prize money. So it should be exciting to the finish.”

The Double Branch will supply a designated driver bus for the Gala.

Jordan said the Mardi Gras Gala is an opportunity for the community to come together for a night of fun and celebration and an opportunity to support its senior adults, all at the same time.